Circulate the Literature by W. A. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 8, 1908

Circulate the Literature

By W. A. C.

THE following from a letter recently received from a brother in the South indicates how fast the principles of religious liberty are fading from the minds of the people in this country, and how far they have drifted from the fundamental principles of our national government:—

“The religious Sunday is so enthroned in the hearts of the people here, that they look upon one as worse than an infidel when he opposes Sunday legislation. I worked for several hours one time in — among the lawyers with a petition, and could not get even one to sign it. Nearly every one was ready to defend the Sunday and Sunday legislation. I was much surprised that this class of professional men seemed so utterly unable to see the evil of such legislation. All I could do was to leave them some literature; some refused to read, while others were indifferent.

“In some places here the circulation of petitions among all classes only arouses the most bitter prejudice, and hedges up the work for the public. We must make free use of our literature, and give it a wide circulation. We shall do all in every way we know how to stay this terrible tide of religious intolerance that is sweeping over the land.”

God has made us the custodians and standard-bearers of these great principles of religious liberty for this time, as he has of his law and his Sabbath, which are so intimately bound up now, as in former ages, with the question of religious freedom, or the right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience. We must not, therefore, be recreant to duty in failing to sound the great message of warning which God has commissioned us to give at this time, though it arouses enmity and opposition. But wisdom and good judgment are needed in order to know how best to present the truth. The free circulation of literature, as recommended in the foregoing letter, is of primary importance, and is a wise course to pursue. Writing of the campaign now on in California, Brother A. J. S. Bourdeau says: “We have found that it is better first to distribute the leaflets, and then call for signatures to

our anti-Sunday law petitions.” This is a good plan to follow everywhere. The silent but potent influence of good, well-prepared literature is a mighty factor in influencing men’s minds and in molding public opinion in times of reformation and great crises. Let the good work go on.

W. A. C.